Prank hammond



(No Model.)

P. HAMMOND.

WRITING DESK OR SECRETARY. No. 398,391, Patented Feb. 26, 1889.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT DFEICE.

FRANK HAMMOND, OF HOMER, NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MARTHA FAULKNER, OF SAME PLACE.

WRITINGFJD'ESK on SECRETARY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,391, dated February 26, 18819. Application filed August 6, 1888. Serial No. 282,091. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK HAMMOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Homer, in the county of Cortland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IVriting-Desks or Secretaries; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it app'ertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the ac companying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to Writing-desks or secretaries combined, in which the secretary maybe kept inclosed within the desk or raised and opened at pleasure, ready for use. The desk remains stationary and the secretary is operated vertically by means of weights, cord, and pulleys.

My invention consists in an improved arrangement of the catch which holds the secretary in its lowered position, said catch being situated in the lower portion of the back of the usual open space under the desk proper, and therefore convenicntof access foroperat ing it by the foot. of the person sitting at the desk, and also obviates projections or obstructions which are liable to tear the clothes of said person.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with the outer casing removed; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation.

Similar letters refer to similar mrts throughout. the several views.

A represents the desk; B, the secretary, and C the ordinary writing leaf or table.

D D represent the frame within which the secretary is moved.

B B represent the sides or standards of the secretary to which the pulley-cords h b are secured. These cords pass over pulleys r r and support the weights cl d.

The vertical frame-pieces DD are provided with grooves c c,correspon(i.1g ti and within which the tracks a a move, said tracks being secured to the sides of the secretary.

When it is desired to close the secretary, it is pressed down. I'pon removal of the press ure the weights (Z (I tend to raise it again; but the automatical spring-catch e holds it shut. The spring-catch is located under the desk and at the back of the usual open space in which the person sitting by the desk places his legs, and thus said catch is convenient of access to be operated by the foot of the aforesaid person. A slight pressure of the foot disengages it from its point of fastening or attachment to the lower part of the secretary, and the secretary by the weights is carried to the desired height.

I'lavin g thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In combination with the desk provided wit-h the usual open space at its under side and the secretary arranged to move vertically in said desk, a pivotal spring-catch arranged in the lower portion of the back of the aforesaid open space and provided with a foot-piece, whereby it is adapted to retain the secretary in' its depressed position and be readily released by the foot, substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK HAMMOND.

Witnesses:

D. R. FAULKNER, H. B. BROWN. 

